Page 22 of The Billionaire's Vow

“And you?”she asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

“And me, what?”he responded.

“What got you into the import-export business?”

She leaned forward, her eyes bright with interest, her entire expression open and eager.Her enthusiasm disarmed him.No hesitation, no wariness, just pure curiosity.He almost chuckled.If only he could tell her the whole truth.

“When I was younger, I traveled back to my father’s village in Italy and found several bolts of silk that were exceptionally beautiful, unlike anything I’d seen in the United States.”He shrugged, sipping his water.“I bought all of it, shipped it home, and it sold at three times the price I paid for it.When I returned to that vendor, he had twice as much material ready for me.That’s how it started.After that, I hired someone to find unique or interesting items.Eventually, I realized I didn’t want to deal with other retailers’ terms or share the profits with them.So, I started opening my own retail sites to sell my imported goods.”

Giselle’s smile was almost blinding, her eyes sparkling with something that made his chest tighten.Admiration.Excitement.Maybe even a hint of longing.

“That sounds so… amazing,” she breathed, her voice filled with something wistful, as if she could picture it vividly in her mind.“What’s Italy like?”She leaned in again, resting her chin in her hand as though she couldn’t get close enough.“Is it really as beautiful as the pictures make it seem?”

“It’s even better,” he replied simply, watching as a dreamy look crossed her face.“Would you like to see it?”

“Oh yes!”Her laugh was light, filled with genuine joy as she leaned back.“I doubt I’ll ever have the money though.”The excitement in her voice faded slightly, replaced with something softer, something almost resigned.

He didn’t like that.

“Let’s go this weekend,” he offered easily, watching her closely for her reaction.“I’ll take you to my villa and show you around the countryside.We can spend Saturday in Rome so you can see the sights, then on Sunday, I’ll show you the countryside.”

Giselle laughed again, twirling her glass between her fingers as she shook her head.“Oh, that’s a lovely dream.”

“It doesn’t have to stay a dream, Giselle.”

She looked up at him then, her expression shifting to something unreadable, something almost guarded.She shook her head.“I know you’re kidding, but even if you’re not, I have a job to do.I’ll be working all weekend to get through the numbers and find the person who is stealing from you.”

Their meals arrived, distracting them, but he wasn’t finished with this conversation.She didn’t seem to realize her allure.She was beautiful and intelligent, but she was also dismissive of his interest, as if she truly believed a trip like that was out of reach for someone like her.That would have to change.Maybe not this weekend, but soon.Very soon.

Chapter 9

Gisellefeltasifshe might burst at the seams, but not from overeating.The steak had been incredible, cooked to perfection, and the cheesy potatoes had been the kind of indulgent comfort food that made her sigh with pure pleasure.But that wasn’t what had her pulse racing and her palms damp as they walked through the quiet parking garage.It wasn’t the meal, or the light drizzle of rain, or even the late hour that made her feel like she was balanced on the edge of something lifechanging.

It was him.

It was the way Dimitri moved beside her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him despite the chill in the air.It was the memory of his teasing remarks at dinner, the way he had spun ridiculous stories about meeting politicians and celebrities, making her laugh so hard she nearly choked on her drink.It was the way he had watched her with dark, unfathomable eyes when she had relaxed enough to tease him back.

And now, as they stood beside her car back in the parking garage, she was acutely aware that the night was at an end.That this moment—this exhilarating, unexpected night—was about to slip away.

“Thank you for dinner,” she said softly.

She didn’t reach for her keys right away.She didn’t want to.

Dimitri wasn’t smiling now.His expression had shifted, his amusement gone, replaced with something quieter.He wasn’t touching her, but he stood so close, the heat of his body enveloping hers even through her thick, cheap wool jacket that was too hot for this August evening.

“Open your car door, Giselle.I won’t leave until I know you’re safe.”

Her stomach clenched.

She should have expected that, should have known that a man like him wouldn’t just walk away without making sure she was settled.But she hesitated, gripping the strap of her bag tighter.

“That’s okay,” she said, forcing a breezy tone, hoping he wouldn’t hear the faint tremor in her voice.“I’ll be fine.I’m sure you need to get home too.”

His eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion, and though his hands remained tucked in the pockets of his slacks, she felt the weight of his attention settle over her.

“Your car door won’t open, will it?”

Her breath hitched.